Getting started
The ease with which your pet transitions to raw foods will vary based on many factors. Most young, healthy pets will transition seamlessly, while older animals, finicky eaters and those with underlying health conditions may require some increased care and support. The following guidelines will assist you in safely and successfully changing your pet’s diet to nourishing raw foods: Our number one rule of thumb is go slow. Plan on changing your pet’s diet over a week (or more) to allow their digestive system time to adjust. Start by slightly reducing the amount of their regular food and adding a small amount of raw (teaspoon to heaping tablespoon depending on the size of your pet). Do this for a couple of days to help your pet get used to the flavor and texture of their new food. If your pet accepts it and there are no digestive upsets start to feed raw meals in the morning and their regular food in the evening. It is important to separate these meals, as the transit time for raw meat through the digestive tract is quite different then dry kibble. Many pets will transition quickly and consume the raw food eagerly. Monitor bowel movements to help determine how well their system is adjusting. Stools should become small and firm. If they are loose, profuse or fowl smelling, or any vomiting occurs, the raw food should be introduced more slowly. When your pet is consuming the raw food readily and is having regular healthy bowel movements, you can begin feeding raw foods for both meals. |
Helpful Tips
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For a printable PDF please click here: GOING RAW